HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6414

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Transportation

Title: An act relating to population-based representation on the governing body of public transportation benefit areas.

Brief Description: Concerning population-based representation on the governing body of public transportation benefit areas.

Sponsors: Senators Billig, Conway, Liias and Saldaña.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 2/21/18, 2/26/18 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires the members of the governing board of certain Public Transportation Benefit Areas (PTBAs) to be selected, to the extent possible, to assure proportional representation of the cities and unincorporated sections of counties that are located within the PTBA's boundaries.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Fey, Vice Chair; Wylie, Vice Chair; Chapman, Gregerson, Kloba, Lovick, McBride, Morris, Ortiz-Self, Pellicciotti, Riccelli, Tarleton and Valdez.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Orcutt, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Harmsworth, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hayes, Irwin, Pike, Rodne, Shea, Stambaugh, Van Werven and Young.

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

Public Transportation Benefit Area.

A Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA) is a special-purpose district authorized to provide public transportation service within all or a portion of a county or counties. Cities must be wholly included or excluded. The PTBA is the most common type of district providing public transportation service in the state, with 21 currently in existence. A PTBA may collect fares for service and, with approval of the majority of the voters within the area, impose a sales and use tax within the area. Currently, all but one PTBA may impose a sales and use tax up to 0.9 percent. One PTBA operating in Snohomish County meets the population threshold required to implement an additional 0.3 percent, for a total of 1.2 percent voter-approved sales and use tax.

Public Transportation Benefit Area Board.

Within 60 days of establishment of a PTBA, the county legislative body or bodies and the elected representatives of each city within the PTBA must provide for the selection of a governing body of not more than nine elected officials or, in the case of a multicounty PTBA, not more than 15 elected officials. These elected officials are selected by and serve at the pleasure of the governments of the cities and counties in the PTBA. Cities within the PTBA that are excluded from direct membership on the authority are permitted to designate a member of the PTBA who is entitled to represent the interests of those cities.

After a PTBA has been in existence for four years, and every four years thereafter, the county legislative body or bodies and the elected representatives of each city within the PTBA must review the composition of the governing board and change it if appropriate.

County Populations.

Currently the counties of Spokane, Pierce, and Clark:

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Summary of Bill:

The members of the governing board of a PTBA meeting certain criteria are required to be selected, to the extent possible, to assure proportional representation, based on population, of the cities and unincorporated sections of counties located within the PTBA boundaries.

This requirement applies only to PTBAs located in a county with a population of more than 400,000 that does not also contain a city with a population of more than 75,000 that operates a transit system pursuant to chapter 35.95 RCW.

A single component city may not have a majority of the board of the PTBA representing it. If necessary to insure proportional representation, a single elected representative from one of the cities within the PTBA may represent multiple cities.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on August 1, 2018.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Federated boards should proportionally represent the cities in a PTBA.

The City of Tacoma currently has two members on the nine-person Pierce Transit board, and it should have three according to its percentage of the population. Clark County has a different situation, and under this bill one fewer PTBA board member would be required from Vancouver.

The City of Spokane has 51 percent of the population of its PTBA, but only 22 percent of the board. It would have more members of the board under this bill.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Kate Burke, City of Spokane.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.